Located in the heart of the Kashmir Valley, which is called 'Paradise on Earth', Srinagar’s landscape is interspersed with greenery, lakes and hillocks. The city is spread out along the banks of the Jhelum River and is famous for its surrounding natural beauty and postcard tourist spots. The two parts of the city are connected by nine bridges. The Hari Parbat and the Shankar Acharya hills lie on either side of the city.
People & Culture of Srinagar
Srinagar has a complex cultural fabric. The many historical constructions and places of worship are long-standing evidences of the historical unity of Srinagar despite the many diverse religious denominations and sects established in the valley since ancient times.
Srinagar is also the venue for many Kashmiri artists, dancers and singers who perform in the various theatres and art houses of the city. Many troupes of the dervish and the qawwali (that have been influenced by both Sufi and Hindustani musical and artistic traditions of Srinagar) survive to this day and the musicians have their own customised musical instruments.
There are many Hindu temples that are more than 1000 years old as well as age-old mosques that are landmarks of Srinagar. Also, numerous gurudwaras and monasteries can be found in many places throughout the city.
Things to do in Srinagar
UNESCO has recognised some of these famous buildings of the city as heritage sites. Some of the famous temples are Shankaracharya Temple, Martand Sun Temple, Kheer Bhavani Temple, Pandrethan Temple, etc. The Hazratbal Mosque, Dal Lake, Wullar Lake, etc. are some prominent attractions of the destination.
Srinagar is also a place for trekking and hiking. The most popular trekking route from Srinagar is to the sacred Amarnath cave. An excursion can be taken to Pahalgam and the Dachigam National Park. Srinagar holiday packages can be availed to plan a holiday to the destination.
Another significant attraction of Srinagar is the Tulip Festival, which is organised annually from April 5 to 15 every year.
Food & Shopping in Srinagar
Rice is a dominant feature of most meals served in Srinagar and the valley is famous for its unique method of cooking by combining meat with vegetables. The food is generally sharp and spicy.
Tourists can shop for Pashmina shawls and stoles, handmade Kashmiri carpets, wooden crafts and the papier machie products, which are exquisitely crafted and unique to Srinagar. Srinagar is well known for its saffron, which is considered as the royal spice. Tourists can visit the saffron field along the Srinagar – Anantnag Highway, which is at a distance of 13 km from Srinagar to buy Saffron, fresh from the farmers. It might cost around INR 200 per gram.
Travelling to Srinagar
Srinagar is connected by flights to the Srinagar Airport. Indian Airlines provides daily flight service to Srinagar from Delhi, Mumbai and Jammu. The nearest rail station is at Jammu which is almost 300 km away. Bus services are provided by quite a few tour operators from neighbouring regions to reach Srinagar. Tourists can avail private cabs to travel around the city and to nearby places.
The climate of Srinagar is pleasant throughout the year, apart from the winters; with summer temperatures staying within 35° Celsius. The proximate presence of the Hokersar wetland influences the climate of Srinagar and keeps it balanced. The best time to visit Srinagar is from April to June.
Accommodation options in Srinagar
Hotel options in Srinagar range from 5 star hotels, resorts to houseboats, budget hotels, lodges and guesthouses. There is an option for tourists with different budgets.
